Tips, Tricks, and Common Sense Care For Your Companion

At ProperPet.com, we like to promote organic and recycled products that are great for your pet, and good for the environment as well.

Check out the Wood Chuck from Planet Dog. It’s made from recycled cork board and bamboo and it comes with an Orbee-Tuff Recycled Ball so you can keep your companion healthy and happy, without wearing you out! We know how much our dogs love to fetch, and this Wood Chuck makes it easy to pick up and throw the perfect toss every time. So get the right gear to keep your companion fit, check out the Wood Chuck with Orbee-Tuff Recycled Ball on sale now at ProperPet.com.

Owning a pet is quite a responsibility and there is always more to learn about keeping your furry friend happy and healthy. You’ve come to the right place for learning the ins and outs for taking care of your pet. Here you will find valuable, relevant and interesting information, as well as product suggestions, fun tips and tricks. The information you will find will include diet, training, trivia, health care, toys and more. We at Proper Pet Care are dedicated to animals. If you love animals, join us!

We encourage you to leave your comments, thoughts, suggestions, ideas and questions. We are more than happy to connect and share our love of dogs and cats with you.

April is Prevention of Animal Cruelty Month. Help keep your furry pals safe by taking a look at this excellent ASPCA guide. It explains how to spot important cruelty warning signs. And remember that pet and animal safety isn’t just limited to one month of the year. Always be mindful of these warning signs.

Are you itching to give your reptilian pal a fun, edgy touch to his habitat? Check out these new terrarium skulls from Exo Terra. These life-like hide-outs add a realistic accent to any rainforest, desert and aquatic setup. Choose from Primate, Crocodile or Buffalo skulls to give dimension and fun to your pet reptile’s home. So if you’re looking to add a fun, exciting new hiding spot to your reptile pet’s home, try these skulls!

First aid kits aren’t just for people. Cats and dogs need them too. April is Pet First Aid Awareness Month, which makes this the perfect time to make sure you have a well-stocked first aid kit ready for your furry pal in case of a medical emergency. The good news is that you don’t have to buy tons of special or expensive pet supplies to be prepared. Much of what you need can also be found in a regular first aid kit. You can even buy two of the same first aid kits for both your family and your pets, and designate one for each. Just remember to store them in separate areas too so you don’t accidentally mix them up. What exactly should your pet first aid kit consist of? Check out this helpful AVMA article from the American Veterinary Medical Association to find out exactly what you should keep in your dog or cat’s first aid kit.

Ever wonder what you would do if your pet had a medical emergency and you can’t get him to a vet immediately? It’s something that every responsible pet owner should think of just in case. In honor of April being Pet First Aid Awareness Month, check out this article on what to do for your pet in case of a medical emergency. It offers simple and helpful information on what to do if your dog or cat is choking, has stopped breathing or is injured.

Having trouble jogging with your dog? Sure, it’s a great idea to work out with your pet. It’s a way for you both to exercise and spend quality time together. But maybe you didn’t anticipate some minor setbacks, like your dog stopping to go to the bathroom every few minutes, taking frequent breaks to sniff everything or getting distracted by squirrels and birds. These constant stops and breaks takes can prevent you from getting the maximum benefit of continuous exercise. Not to worry, there are a few ways your can counter your pet’s natural inclination to get distracted on jogs.

Practice. Before you begin any sort of jogging regimen with your pooch, take him on a few practice runs. You can even do this on regular dog walks. Keep a constant pace and don’t allow your dog to stop if he wants to smell something on the ground or if a squirrel suddenly runs in front of him and he pauses. Firmly grip the leash and gently tug it every time you notice him stopping. Your dog sees you as his leader and will follow your actions, so it’s important that you are consistent with this. The more you practice this, the more your dog will get used to walking without stopping. Once he gets the hang of doing this on your walks, transition to jogging and employ the same techniques.

Have your dog use the bathroom before and after your run. You would think it’s impossible to eliminate bathroom breaks when outdoors with your pooch. But it’s not. You just have to plan carefully. Before you jog, let your dog out in the yard for a few minutes so he can do his business. Or you can take him for a short minutes-long walk so he can relieve himself. This should eliminate his constant stopping to use the bathroom while running. Then once you are finished jogging, let your dog use the bathroom again. This should take care of his bathroom breaks while ensuring that you get in some quality continuous cardio. Of course, if it’s an emergency, you should stop to let your dog relieve himself. But the more you make your dog go to the bathroom before and after jogging, the more he will become accustomed to it, which will result in more uninterrupted jogging sessions.

Pay attention to how your dog reacts. Sure, most dogs are able to run continuously for several few minutes. But it’s necessary to make sure that he’s not over-exerting himself. So while you run, keep an eye on him. A lot of dogs have no problem keeping up as you jog, while others may struggle. If you want to jog continuously, be certain that your dog is able to handle it. Typically, it’s better to run with younger, more energetic dogs that are bred for such activity. Older dogs with health problems may not be able to handle such intense activity for a long period, and making them run non-stop for 30 minutes could be detrimental to their health. For instance, running for a half hour with a young husky is probably not going to be much of a problem, since they are bred to run long distances without stopping. But making an old basset hound run for that same amount of time could be harmful. Ideally you could run non-stop with your pooch for however long you want your workout to last, but if he can’t handle it, don’t do it. If that’s the case, save running for a different time and make dog walks more low-key.

Incorporating your dog into your exercise routine is a great idea, especially if you can do it in continuous sessions. Try these tips if you have a pooch that tends to get distracted when the two of your are out.

It’s the 136th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, and this year, there’s an exciting addition to the show: the xoloitzcuintli. It’s one of six new breeds in the competition this year. Read more about it here.

February is National Pet Dental Health Month, and we at properpet want to celebrate your furry pal’s dental health by offering a variety of quality and affordable dental products for dogs. We carry everything from pet-friendly toothpaste and brushes to breath freshener and chew bones. Every item in our selection is designed to improve the dental health of your pet. Plus, with our wide selection to choose from, you’re bound to find at least one dental product your little pal will love. So make your pet’s dental healthy a priority starting this month. Browse our selection of pet dental products to find exactly what he needs.

Fun outdoor activities can be hard to think of in the winter. With the recent snowfall, instead of cocooning up inside, take it as an opportunity to try new activities with your pooch in the snow. Below are a few fun games you can play with your canine pal. The next time you feel cabin fever creeping up on you or your dog, try these:

Snowball fetch. You’re never too old for a snowball fight. Modify that favorite childhood game into playtime with your dog. Instead of a fight, make it into a game of fetch. And instead of using a regular ball or stick, make snowballs and toss them to your pooch. See if he retrieves it and brings it back to you. If not, no big deal. Just make more snowballs and keep throwing them until your pooch tires.

Snow angels. It’s probably been ages since you’ve made a snow angel. Why not make some when it snows? Involve your dog too. Have him lie next to you in the snow while you make a snow angel. Of course, your pup probably won’t be able to make a snow angel, but as long as he’s rolling around on the ground and seems happy, it will still be fun.

Snow surfing. Take a cue from these enthusiastic dogs from this video and slide along the snow. This works best in hilly areas with a lot of space. It’s a great activity for energetic dogs that love playing. Your dog may learn how to do it on his own or you may have to show him. Simply lie on your back or stomach and slide down, then coax your dog to follow.

February marks National Bird Feeding Month. For all of you bird enthusiasts, now is the perfect time for you to stock up on bird food and maybe even try out a new feeder. Sure, birds may be flying south for the winter, but with this unusually warm winter we are having, you may have a few feathered friends lingering in your yard. ProperPet.com carries quality feeders on our site for various wild bird species. They feature different shapes and designs, and are based on the sizes of birds, the amount of seed that can be held, etc.

Also, have a look at the For the Wild Birds blog. There you’ll find loads of helpful information about different bird species, feeding tips and other valuable tips. Happy National Bird Feeding Month!